$219,647Average Value$215Average Price per Sq Ft25Homes For Sale
Merle Hay features several retail and dining options
About 6 miles from Downtown Des Moines, Merle Hay residents have easy access to stores and restaurants. “If you are looking for a nice starter home near a business district, you can find that in Merle Hay,” says Nikki Hayter, manager at Franklin Avenue Library since 2019 and employee of Des Moines Public Library since 2006. Besides restaurants along Douglas Avenue, locals can explore the Merle Hay Mall, which offers a mix of chain shops and independent businesses. Students here attend Des Moines Public Schools, rated C by Niche.
The central hub of the neighborhood, Merle Hay Mall, has shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Residential areas of Merle Hay are just minutes from every amenity imaginable.
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Array of twentieth century homes in Merle Hay
Sidewalks line many of the streets in the neighborhood, although some properties stretch to the curb. Full trees sit on neatly trimmed lawns, some decorated with gardens and modest landscaping. Mid-20th-century homes fill most lots, although newer construction is scattered throughout the neighborhood. Arts and Crafts houses are mixed with ranch styles and split levels, and bilevels sit among bungalows and Cape Cods. Homebuyers can expect to pay between $150,000 and $250,000 for a two- or three-bedroom house, while those with four or more bedrooms typically range from $275,000 to $325,000.
Merle Hay is a primarily residential neighborhood.
Cape Cods are common in the neighborhood.
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Merle Hay Mall features locally owned stores and restaurants
Merle Hay Mall sits at the top of the neighborhood and offers several shopping and dining options. Besides independent businesses, such as Always Uncover, there are department stores, including Target and Kohl’s. Local Eats Food Court, unsurprisingly, features locally owned restaurants, such as Vietnam Cafe and Stu’s BBQ. Chain restaurants in the mall include IHOP and Auntie Anne’s. Simon’s is a popular diner in the middle of Merle Hay. “It’s one of those spots where you have to wait outside for a table,” Hayter says. Every American-style dish they serve comes with a complimentary slice of red velvet cake. “Another neighborhood favorite is Donut Hut,” Hayter says. This breakfast spot is only one of the dining options along Douglas Avenue; others include Wasabi Chi and La Michoacana Ice Cream. People get groceries at Bosna Grocery or travel 4 miles to Price Chopper. Other essentials can be found at the Dollar General in the neighborhood or at Lowe’s, about 6 miles away.
Wasabi Chi serves sushi and is one of several restaurants along Douglas Avenue.
Simon's is at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Merle Hay Road.
Vietnam Cafe is a popular spot for authentic Vietnamese foods and a weekly lunch buffet.
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Merle Hay residents take pride in their homes and in their community.
Merle Hay locals enjoy Des Moines events
Des Moines Parks and Recreation puts on events for the city, including Family Fun Night at Blank Park Zoo. Attendees can complete an obstacle course or play laser tag before visiting the arts and crafts station. There is also live music and food. The Merle Hay Neighborhood Association is one of many in Des Moines that participates in National Night Out. Other popular events are the Des Moines Art Festival and the Iowa State Fair.
Hillis Elementary teaches healthy lifestyle through hands-on learning
As part of the Des Moines Independent Community School District, locally known as Des Moines Public School, students can start at Hillis Elementary School, which receives a C from Niche. Hillis partners with FoodCorps to encourage a healthy lifestyle in their students through cooking and gardening lessons. They can attend Meredith Middle School, which scores a C, before attending Hoover High School. While its overall Niche grade is a C-plus, Hoover High School earns an A-plus in diversity. “It’s a beautiful school with a tremendous amount of diversity in their student body,” Hayter says. “I’m a mother of three, and I want my children to interact with kids from other cultures and ethnicities.”
Hillis Elementary's outdoor space, artwork, and gardens are second-to-none in Des Moines.
Meredith Middle School serves the local community and surrounding areas.
Merle Hay students attend Hoover High School on Aurora Avenue.
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Merle Hay residents play at Des Moines parks
Families can spend the day at Tower and Riley Park. “Our parks department is phenomenal,” Hayter says. “They’ve done a great job of creating parks that address the community’s needs.” This includes introducing accessible playgrounds at both parks. Tower Park also features a sprayground and basketball, tennis and pickleball courts. Franklin Avenue Library sits at the border of Merle Hay and Waveland Park and offers various programs for patrons to join. There are book clubs for all ages, storytime, and educational programs on topics including social security and Medicare. They also maintain a fridge and food pantry that accepts perishable and nonperishable donations. “We don’t ask any questions; we just let people shop the fridge,” Hayter says. For more activities, residents can explore the entertainment options at Merle Hay Mall, including bowling at Gameday Lanes.
A full-sized basketball court also draws Merle Hay residents to Tower Park for some hoops.
The playground at Riley Park will keep children entertained for hours.
Gameday Lanes can be found below Merle Hay Mall, and offers family and glow bowling and leagues.
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U.S. Route 6 runs through Merle Hall
U.S. Route 6, known locally as Douglas Avenue, intersects Merle Hay Road and connects with Interstate 35. The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority features several bus stops that carry passengers from the neighborhood into the city. Des Moines International Airport is about 10 miles away and offers direct flights to nearly 30 U.S. destinations and international connections.
DART offers many bus stops at the neighborhood, including at Merle Hay Mall.
The Merle Hay Road corridor is a vital hub of business for the entire Des Moines area.
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Merle Hay residents can bike along Urbandale Avenue.
City of Des Moines creating safer roads
The Merle Hay Corridor, the stretch of Merle Hay Road between Aurora Avenue and Hickman Road, is prone to more accidents than surrounding areas. The City of Des Moines is accepting feedback from residents on improving the street’s transportation system. The already proposed changes include expanding the parkway between the sidewalks and streets to create a more comfortable walking environment and creating better ADA-compliant crosswalks. Some sidewalk improvements are planned to begin in 2024.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Randy Brady,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Westchester Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Playground
Tower Park
Basketball
Grills
Picnic Area
Murphy Park
Riley Park
Grills
Picnic Area
Playground
Franklin Park
Picnic Area
Multi-Purpose Field
Lions Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Transit
Airport
Des Moines International
17 min drive
Bus
Douglas Ave & 52nd St, Dsm
Bus
63rd St & Franklin Ave, Dsm
Bus
63rd St & Franklin Ave, Wht
Bus
University Ave & 57th St, Dsm
Bus
Franklin Ave & 51st St, Dsm
Bus
Merle Hay Rd & Hickman Rd (Far-Side), Dsm
Bus
Hickman Rd & Westover Blvd, Dsm
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Merle Hay
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Merle Hay, Des Moines sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Merle Hay, Des Moines over the last 12 months is $215,946, up 3% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Charming 3-Bedroom Gem in Highly Desired Neighborhood Near Waveland Golf Course!Welcome to this beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 1-bath home nestled in one of Des Moines' most sought-after neighborhoods. Near the scenic Waveland Golf Course and only blocks from the vibrant shops and restaurants along Merle Hay Road, this home offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and
Mike JenkinsWeichert, Realtors®-Miller & Clark Agency
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Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Randy Brady,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
8,990
Median Age
39
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.2%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$63,415
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$71,788
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.3%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
33.3%
Advanced Degrees
10%
% Population in Labor Force
72%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
36''
Average Winter Low Temperature
14°F
Average Summer High Temperature
85°F
Annual Snowfall
45''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
50/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
69/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
23/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
